Goats in coats?

Suzyq2u · #1 01/14/14, 05:27 PM

Do you put 'clothes' on your goatie babies (particularly the littles)
to keep them warm?
We just put some baby sleepers (legs cut off) on ours; 27 tonight...
but of course in the back of my mind I can't help but think
about it being a choking hazard...
These are thin, aren't buttoned anywhere near the neck and have snaps so in theory they should rip or unsnap before they cause an issue.

So - do you or don't you?
(On a side note I can't stand them on dogs - why is it ok on goats lol

)

paintpony · #2 01/14/14, 05:51 PM

For the first time ever, I bought goat coats

I did so because this year has been so crazy, the goats don't know whether to shed the winter coat or grow more. It has gone from 60F one week to 3F the next. So, I bought goat coats for those really cold spells. I'm going to have to return them though. The ones from Jeffers aren't built correctly for boys. The belly band is RIGHT where they pee

I have found some from Hoeggers that look like they will fit properly.

Suzyq2u · #3 01/14/14, 05:54 PM

....hmm I better check closer that's free and clear

GraceAlice · #4 01/14/14, 07:02 PM

I only did it in an attempt to make twin bucks look like doelings.

Suzyq2u · #5 01/14/14, 08:12 PM

adorable

ajneal30 · #6 01/14/14, 09:31 PM

I knew a lady who would cut the arms out of old sweaters and put them on her babies to keep them warm.

LomahAcres · #7 01/15/14, 01:26 AM

For our Nubian kids I like toddler turtle necks about a size 2T - roll up or cut off the arms a little as they are a little long, and cut the 'front' or belly off for the boys. I don't like to leave them on though when the kids are unattended - too afraid they'll get caught up somewhere. I bottle raise so newborns come into the house. But always out side in the afternoons to get them ready for barn life - so they may get a coat then if it's real cold. I wait for a warm spell and stick them in the barn with a heat lamp at night until they are a few weeks old.

Goats in coats? - Goats

Suzyq2u · #8 01/15/14, 06:31 AM

The kids in their 'coats'.
They're baby sleepers. The old gerber style that are thin and terry.
I cut off the back end and tucked the belly up for the boys.
They're about a sz 12mo (the tags are gone) and heavily shrunk, lol

Backfourty,MI. · #9 01/15/14, 02:37 PM

I don't put anything on my babies but if it's really cold Suzy try a hot water bottle under a towel for them to snuggle on. Are they with the dam's or you bottle feeding them?
Usually they will snuggle with the mamma too & if they are in a shelter with plenty of bedding out of the elements & a good mamma they should be good.

**mygoat** · #10 01/15/14, 02:44 PM

No coats on anybody here due to cold. No kids have ever worn sweaters/coats, no adults. I have one doe who wears a coat to protect a wound on her side because she won't stop picking at it without one. After she kids, she's getting butchered.

I may consider getting a coat for my 12 year old next year. She's still doing fine so far this year... Will be 12 in april.

GraceAlice · #11 01/15/14, 04:03 PM

@mygoat:

What about putting a plastic dog cone on her neck while treating it? Then after the wound is healed she won't be picking at anything?

**mygoat** · #12 01/15/14, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GraceAlice

@mygoat:

What about putting a plastic dog cone on her neck while treating it? Then after the wound is healed she won't be picking at anything?

We've tried everything under the sun including a plastic collar over the course of nearly 2 years of 'working' with her. Never infected, she just won't leave it alone even after months of not being able to get to it. The would heals to a callus which she happily tears right back open again as soon as possible. I only know one way to fix that kinda stupid... the freezer.

I got a beautiful AI daughter out of her last spring to replace her, then never got around to butchering her through the school season... then it got cold this season and I haven't butchered her and probably won't till spring so I bred her so she's not freeloading. I have since sold the rest of the boer herd but won't sell her. Hoping she has boys that I can just butcher along with her, though her doelings would be registered at 94% boers too.